IND vs SL: Rain threatens India's 600th Test in Galle on August 15

India and Sri Lanka face a significant rain threat at the first Test in Galle scheduled to begin on August 15, a match that will be India's 600th Test in the longest format. Showers are forecast across multiple days, raising the possibility of interrupted play.

India's return to Sri Lanka for a Test series after nine years could begin with weather concerns, and the visitors' preparations were already affected when rain forced the team to cut short its practice session in Galle on the eve of the Test. That curtailed session leaves India with limited preparation time ahead of the series opener and the start of their World Test Championship campaign. India will be hoping for enough uninterrupted cricket to make a strong start to that campaign.

The forecast for Saturday suggests a potentially tricky start, with Galle expected to be cloudy and breezy with a couple of showers. Temperatures are likely to remain around 30-31°C. Humidity is predicted to make conditions feel considerably warmer.

The attached AccuWeather forecast showed a 90 per cent probability of precipitation for the morning and 5.6mm of expected rain. It indicated 92 per cent cloud cover and visibility of 5km for the morning. Winds were expected to be around 20kmph, with gusts reaching 43kmph.

The outlook beyond Day 1 is also not entirely encouraging, with rain expected to remain a possibility on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. That means interruptions could become a recurring feature if the forecast holds. Teams and officials will need to plan for the chance of repeated weather interruptions across those days.

India's last Test series in Sri Lanka came in 2017, when Virat Kohli's side completed a 3-0 sweep. Their previous Test in Galle ended in a commanding 304-run victory. In the World Test Championship table India sit fifth with a points percentage of 48.15, while Sri Lanka are sixth at 41.67; a strong series result would provide India with an important boost.

The first Test begins on August 15 in Galle and fans can watch the India vs Sri Lanka series live on Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available on the Sony LIV app and website with a subscription.